In Vairamuthu Neram today, *1.Chittathatinal Konda Pithathinal ( Duet ) * ** Myself and A.R. Rahman worked very hard with strenous effort for the film " Duet". A.R. Rahman selected some lyrics from my works titled, " Thiruti Ezhudiya Theerpugal ( Rectified Writings of Judgements)". We were thinking of who could be the best singer who can sing the same. This should come as a Voice, and should also be in a tune. It should be mid way between the tune, and the utterings of the words. So, we decided that instead of a singer singing this, it would be better, if the hero himself could be used to narrate these lyrics , and sing them, instead of a stand alone singer doing it. The Director also accepted it. A. R. Rahman also accepted it. The Hero didnt want to accept it, and was hesitant. We called Actor Prabhu to the Composing Studio. We asked him to read the lyrics. He is elder to me, but would address me as " Anne ( Elder brother ) . Pls read the poem yourself, or make it possible by someone who knows better Tamil than me". I replied, " No No. You are the successor of Nadigar Thilagam ( Sivaji Ganesan) . It would be a great fame for me, if you read this. You cannot corner yourself, as not knowing Tamil. ". He told, that he has studied in convent, and was apprehensive, but I insisted in him doing it.
He did a wonderful job in rendering it in the movie *2. Udal Mannukku ( IRUVAR ) * Of all the movies of Maniratnam, I like Nayagan and Iruvar. I consider it a very great opportunity to write lyrics for the film Iruvar. Because its a periodical film. The film starts in the 50s, and ends in the 80s. During these 30 years, how the beauty of the language has changed, how the lifestyles have changed., how the political system has changed, have been depicted very well in that movie. I came to write in the 80s. , and the film gave me an experience of writing songs for about 40 years. There was a beautiful story line, depicted in that movie. when MGR, wanted to utilise his very first chance in movies, what sort of song would he sing, if he acts in a King, Queen movie. This sort of situation was given to me by Maniratnam, and he wanted me to write lyrics for the same The style of the 40s, and the 50s should be replicated in a movie, which has to be screened in the 90s. I started practising and learning the style of the lyrics that was used in those times. This is not a song, but its like a declaration. There was a question, as to who would sing, or utter these lyrics in the movie ?. we all thought that , A.R. Rahman could do it himself. But he didnt want to do it. Some people thought of making it done with the help of some play back singers. That was also not accpted. Some people wanted me to do it myself. I told them in a very polite and decent fashion, that my voice neednt come for the Film Industry. Finally, Maniratnam decided that if uttered by Arvind Swamy, it would be great. I started teaching Arvind Swamy this song. " Udal Mannukku, Uyir Thamizukku". I consider it a great blessing, if this song could be added to the Lists of famous writings on Dravida Kazhagam.... *3. Aalakanda ( Sangamam ) * ** More than the singers, its always the Music Director, who sings the maximum number of times, a song. Right from the time, the song is composed, till it is finished, its the Music Director, who takes the strains in giving it a complete touch. Its the Music Director, who out of his voice, out of his skills, out of his fashion gives life to a song. A singer starts singing the song, only after the Music Director gives him the frame work, and after the MD digesting it to the core. There has been more than 100 songs sung by MSV . I got a great opportunity to write lyrics for a song which he sung. That song was for the film Sangamam. A. R . Rahman composed the music for the film. This song appears like a situation, where the dead father sings at his son, ( like his soul singing it ) This song became very famous, and I started getting calls from a lot of people. Once my car was halting near Teynampet Signal ( CHENNAI ) . There was a person who was standing in a cycle near my car. he saw me through the mirror of the car, and spotted me . he asked me to waive the glass down. he said, ' Sir. The way you have written lyric.... esp those words, Magane Magane ( Oh Son, Oh Son ) . after hearing to it, I have started crying very badly. I started getting memories of my father. You should live for long. ". I cannot forget the praises that I got from that cyclist , in tha t teynampet Signal. This is more than a National Award to me. What more does a writer need ? *Thai Manne Vanakkam ( Vande MATARAM ) * ** A.R. Rahman always had a slight hesitation, about his voice , and about his singing. If he sings, will the world accept it ??. Will the music world accept it ?. In his very first song, " Chinna Chinna aasai", where he hums that interlude, we observed it and found out that he has got a very bright future as a singer too.... During the time course, his fear started reducing, and he started singing very good songs in a very good manner. I have written a lot of songs for which he has sung in films, and which have become big hits. But, there is one song , which became a mega hit, more than that of films. The reason behind it was the Majesty of A.R. Rahman 's music, and the lyrics and the meaning of that song. He came and gave me an Hindi song. For paying respect to the Nation, we have taken a song, " Vande Mataram " in Hindi. we have to give it to our Tamil people also. So, he requested me to write tamil Lyrics for the Hindi Song. and insisted on the starting lines, which would create the impact for the song. Why the starting lyrics has to be important because, " Maa Tujhe Salam" ( was the Hindi starting lyrics ). He told, that its the crux of the song. He wanted that Maa Tujhe Salaam to be converted to Tamil without disturbing the tune. I was writing the lyrics " Thai Manne Vanakkam " sittting in the grass garden at his residence ( ARR 's residence ) . that time, a young boy got me some tea. he heard these lyrics Thai Manne Vanakkam, and went and reported it to Rahman. Rahman came running towards me. He jumped in excitement saying, " Yes. It has come out very well. This is what I expected. He started jumping like a small kid. This song is a dedication to this soil *Kaadu Potta Kaadu ( Karuthamma ) * ** we needed a song , to describe the parchness in the soil. An unfertile soil. We needed a tune also in sync with that. The tune was ready, and a voice which will suit the song was the next search. I suggested Dir Bharathiraaja to sing it himself, and he accepted it, and he sang this song. This song reminds me of the type of lives we lived in the early 50s, and 60s, when the soil was not that fertile, and the times, were not that good. -- regards, Vithur ARR -- The Sweet Cube always
